Convertible furniture



Sept- 1, 193i- J. R. THOMAS 1,821,126

CONVERTI BLE FURNITURE Filed Aug. 5. 1927 4 sheets-sheet 1 Sept. 1, 1931.

J. R. THOMAS CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed Aug. 3. 1927 mmh.

4 Sheets-sheet 2 IHHHHHIIHHIU www LIT/19.2.

IMI

.mlmll @Hof nu,

Sept. 1, 1931. .1. R. THOMAS CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed Aug. 5. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet .'5

J. R. THOMAS 1,821,126

CONVERTI BLE FURNITURE Sept. 1, 1931.

Filed Aug. 5. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheety 4 IIHIHHIIHI mm1MMI]:Hummm mm U :dwf

www 15 m,

Patented Sept. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH B. THOMAS, OF FORT MADISON, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THE ROME COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION F NEW YORK CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Applicationmea Aigut s, 1927. serial No. 210,415.

, This invention relates to improvements in convertible furniture vand especially to a combined chair or settee and bed, having for an object to provide an article of furniture @constructed in a manner that when in its normal position, the same will simulate a. chair or settee of the overstufed upholstered type. affording those elements or qualities of comfort and ease common to such furniture, 1' while by simple and convenient manipulation, the article may be converted into a bed possessing equally comfortable qua-litles.

Itis also an object of the invention to provide a convertible article of furniture including bed frame sections so constructed and mounted upon the body portion that the same may be extended to operative position by applying an outward pull thereto, causing said sections to be automatically moved from their inoperative and substantially superposed relation to juxtaposed relation` 1n which latter position` they are firmly supported whereby to provide an efficient spring bed, the sections, when no longer desired for ilse as a bed, being easily returnable to their folded or inoperative positions whereupon the article may be used as a chair or a settee.

The invention furthermore includes amongst its principal desideratums, the pro- 30 vision of a bed including sections'for constituting the same` such sections having a novel arrangement of mounting levers and connecting links operative with the imparting of an outward pull to one of the sections to eii'ect their extension in tandem or juxtaposed relation, imparting to the respective sections that compound movement necessary to bring about an operative extension of the same.

Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be readily understood by those skilled in the art, I have in the accompanying illustrative drawings and in the detailed following description based thereupon, setout one possible embodiment of n'iy Vinvention.

In these drawings Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section through the improved article of furniture.

Figure 2 is a similar section showing certain of the bed forming sections in open position at the first stage of their operation to extended or bed constituted positions,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section through the article of furniture the invention showing the manner in -which these sections are normally retained in nested or superposed relation, as when the bed is in its folded or inoperative position,

Figure 6 is a fragmentarv vertical transverse section through a slightly modified Form of the construction in which but two bed frame constituting sections are utilized and Figure 7 is a similar view showinfr the hed constituting sections Aof the modified form of the invention in their extended or operative positions.

Having more particular reference to tbe drawings, in connection with which like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout. the article of furniture mav be stated to comprise a body portion either in form of a chair or settee, preferably of the over-stuffed upholstered type` such as generally indicated herein by the numeral 1` the sides and the back. 2 and 3 respectivelv of the article being suitably upholstered as is indicated: the back portion of the article having a rearwardly disposed chamber formed throughout its length and designated by the numeral 4. the purpose of which will be subsequently described. The outer side of this chamber 4. as will be noted. is closed bv a suitable wall of partitioning material 5,

while feet 6 may also be provided the article,

metal frames, receiving and supportingy therein engaged and relatively interconnected coiled springs 10, or other efectual spring arrangements or constructions well known in the art at. this time.

The section 7 is connected to its adjacent section 8 through the medium of links 11 ixedly connected to the inner extremities of the opposite sides thereof through the medium of rivets 12, while the outer or extended and free ends of these links are pivoted as at 13 to suitable ear like bearing extensions arranged upon the adjacent end portions of the opposite sides of said section frame 8. That portion of the frame section 8 outwardly of the pivotal connections 13 is provided upon its opposite sides with bearing ears 14 to which links 15 are pivotally connected, the remaining extremities of said links being pivoted to otfset fingers 16 tixedlv mounted upon the adjacent extremities ot the opposite sides of the frame section 9. It will be thus seen that pivotal interconnection is eii'ected between the bed frame constituting sections 7` 8 and 9: the. free and normally outer portion of said frame section 9 carrying a panel or cover board 17 thereon, the width of which is equal to the combined dept-h of the spring carrying sections 7 and 9 when in those positions as is shown in the Figure 1, whereby to afford a finishing and protective outer covering'for the same.

Motion transmitting and frame adjusting levers are arranged adjacent the opposite side portions of the frame. sections 7. 8 and 9 inwardly of the opposite sides 2 of the body portion` the sets of levers upon the said sides of the sections corresponding in formation arrangement and connection and each set including pivotally interconnected levers 18 and 19, the free extremity of the lever 19 having pivotal bearing as at 20 upon an adjacent portion of its respective side 2 while the free portion ot the lever 18 is pivoted as at 2l to the adjacent side of the. frame section 8, preferably in proximity to the pivoting of the links 15 to the bearing ears 14. A shorter lever 22 is provided each of the pairs of levers 18 and 19 being pivoted to the same adjacent their pointof pivotal interconnection and ha ving the free ends of each pivoted as at 23 to the approximate intermediate side portions o lE the traine section 9, pivotal movement .of the levers 22 with respect to the section 9 being limited through the medium of lug like stops 24 'formed integral with portions ot said opposite sides of the frame section 9 in proximity to the pivotal bearing portions 23 thereupon.

Other sets of toggle levers 25 are provided the opposite sides of the frame section 9, certain of the ends of these levers having pivotal bearing as at 26 upon adjacent portions of the. inner sides of the body portion sides 2 while the free extremities of the remaining levers of said pairs are ivoted as at 27'to the normally forward si es 'of said frame section 9, pivotal movement between the toggle levers 25 being limited by means of stop fingers 28 formed on certain of the same and functioning to limit pivotal movement in the manner illustrated in the Figure 3. EX- tensions 29 are provided certain of the levers 25 adjacent their pivotal mountings 26 and to these extensions, contractile coiled springs 30 are connected, the opposite extremities of said springs being ixedly connected as at 3l to portions of the sides 2 of the body portion, thus, functioning to normally impart outward swinging movement to those porions of said toggle levers 25 connected there- With a View toward providing the frame section 8 with means for directing or guiding the same into its compartment or chamber 4 in the body portion of the article of furniture, as is shown in the Figure 1, upwardly directed and curved guide ways or tracks 31 are fixed to the inner faces of the opposite sides 2 of the body portion, the lower ends of said guides being open and their upper ends being closed so that guide rollers 32 supported upon certain of the ends of the opposite sides of the frame section 8 will enter the same and thus facilitate movement of the frame to its normal or inoperative position without liability of interference with parts of said body portion in proximi ty thereto.

To limit outward swinging movement of the various frame sections 7, 8 and 9 through the section 9, stops. or abutments 33 are engaged in the lower portions of the body portion sides 2 as is shown in the Figure 4. and with movement of the frame sections to their operative or extended positions, will engage with portions of certain of the toggle levers 25, thereby preventing further outward movement of the sections through the section 9 and 10, insuring arrangement of the bed spring constituting sections in their proper relative positions.

That the extended sections 7 and 8 may be rigidly supported in their operative positions, foldable legs 34 are provided each thereof and suitable mechanism (not shown herein) may be provided for causing said legs to be automatically pivoted to their operative positions simultaneously vwith extension of the sections carrying them while with return of the frame sections to their inoperative or normal positions, the foldable legs will be caused to pivot to their inoperative positions.l

A foldahle mattress or pad 35 is provided the frame sections and with extension of the same to their operative positions, said mattress isv arranged in an unfolded position thcreover. With arrangement of the frame sections in their inoperative positions as is shown in the Figure 1, the mattress is adapted to be'folded in the manner shown therein and to be arranged between the relatively superposed sections 7 and 9. Preferably, means are provided the mattress or pad for securing the folds thereof in nested'relation, as is shown in the Figure 5, such means being herein illustrated as constituting a metal clip 36 the free end of which is formed with a lip portion 37 adapted to engage in a suitable formed part 38 of one of the portions of the mattress pad while the opposite end thereof is pivoted as at 39 to a portion ofthe frame 7 or rat-her, to the mattress 10 there- This formv of securing means for the mattress pad, however, may be varied, such as conditions or preference may dictate.

In the Figures 6 and 7' I have shown slightly modified form of the invention, the article of furniture 1 herein corresponding to the article of furniture illustrated in the first embodiment but beingequipped with only two bed frame constituting sections 7 and 9. The frame section 7 is connected through links 40 to the opposite side portion and its normally inner extremities of the frame section 9, while toggle levers 2,5are provided upon the opposite sides of said frame sections 7 and 9', certain of the ends of said levers being pivotally mounted as at 26 upon adjacent portions of the inner sides of the' article of furniture 1 while the remaining ends of said levers are pivoted as at 27 to the normally forward portions of the opposite sides of frame section 9'; an extension 29 being provided upon` certain of the toggle levers 25 adjacent their pivotal mountings 26 whereby to permit of the connection of certain of the ends of ,contractile coiled springs 30 thereto, the remaining ends of said coiled springs being connected as at 31 to appropriate portions of the inner faces of the opposite side of the article of furniture of body portion 1. Pivotal movement between the several pairs of toggle levers 25 is limited through the medium of stop extensions 28 carried upon certain of the same adjacent their pivotal interconnection.

The section 9, as will vbe noted upon reference to the Figure 6, is provided with an end or panel board 17 which with arrangement of the frame sections in their normal or inoperative positions will aii'ord an effectual closure for the outer or exposed ends thereof; foldable legs 41 being provided the frame section 7 and adapted, with movement of said section 7 to its extended position to be brought to operative or supporting positionsv as are shown in the Figure A foldable mattress or pad 35 is provided the frame constituting sections 7 and 9 and, as is shown in the Figure 7, with extension or operative positionin of said sections, is adapted to be arrange or extended ther over.

The operation of that form of the invention shown in thev Fi ures 1-5 inclusive may be stateduto be as fo ows: with arrangement of the frame sections 7, 8 and 9 in those positions as is shown in the Figure 1, it will be understood that the artlcle of furniture may be used as a chair or a settee, dependent upon the overall dimensions thereof. When in these normal positions, it will be noted that the panel or closure board 17 will conceal lthe outer ends of the folded sections 7 and 9 as well as the outer ends of the folded mattress pad 35, while for comfort of the said article of furniture, a removable cushion or pad indicated by the numeral 42 is arranged upon the uppermost frame section 9, that is, the spring section 10 ofthe same. When it is desired to convert the article into a bed, the uppermost section 9 is pivoted to that position as is shown in the Figure 2, whereupon the toggle levers 25 will be moved to their partially open positions and above center positioning of the pivotal connection between the levers 18 and 19 will be effected in the manner as is also shown in the Figure 2. At this time, the outer end of the section 7 is engaged, as by a hand hold or similar device and is pulled horizontally outwardly. By this pull, the section 7 will be caused to slide outwardly from the body portion 1 of the article of furniture and the section 8 will follow it beca-use of its slidable disposition in the curved tracks or guide ways 31 and its pivotal connection to the links 11 with the section 7. During outward pulling of the sections 7 and 8, the section 8 will move to a substantially horizontal position as is shown in the Figure 3 and during such movement, the levers 18 and 19 will be pivoted to relatively acute angles, thereby imparting an upward thrust to the section 9 through the levers..22 and spreading the toggle levers 25 to the extent of their pivotal movement against the tension of the contractile coiled springs 30 connected to the extensions 29 thereof. This positioning of the parts just described is well illustrated in the Figure 3. The outward pulling of the frame constituting sections is continued and thereby, the levers 18 are swung by the levers 19, such leverage imparting an upward movement to the sections 8 and 9 so that they will be brought to positions as is shown in the Figure 4. With this movement of the sections 8 and 9 to the positions shown in the Figure 4, the toggle levers 25 will be pivoted or swung to those positions as are also shown i in the Figure' 4, portions ofrsaid toggle levers the stops 33 and hence, limiting the pulling of the sections. tlus connection, it will be noted that during the extension of the said frame constituting sections to their o rative positions, the section 9 will be comp etely reversed in its position abutting from that shown in the Figure 3 so that when it reaches its ultimate extended or operative position, the panel or cover`board 17 thereof will asslnne that position as shown in the Figure 4 adjacent the upholstered back portion of the article of furniture.v It will be thus seen that the levers 18, 19, 22 and 25 will serve as motion transmitting and converting means, that is, eiecting the relative reversing and adjustment of the frame constituting sections 7, 8 and 9 with the outward pulling of the section 7 whereby all of said sections may be arranged in their operative or lextended positions as is shown in the Figure 4.

When it is desired to return the frame constituting sections, 7, 8 and 9 to their inoperative or normal positions as is shown in the Figure 1, the foldable legs 34 of the sections 7 and 9 are swung inwardly to inoperative positions and the section 7 is thrust or pushed inwardly, thereby lowering the section 8 through the medium of the levers 18 and 19 so that the guide rollers 32 thereof will enter the open and lower ends of the curved guideways or tracks 31. With continued inward thrust or pushing of the section 7 the section 8 will be moved upwardly into the chamber 4 of the article of furniture and at the same time, the section 9 will be returned to thatposition as is shown in the Figure 2, that is, it will be returned to this position when the section 7 is forced or pushed to its folded or inoperative position as is also shown in the Figure 2. At this time, the section 9 may be swung downwardly so as to bring the panel or closure board 17 to that position as is shown in the Figure l, whereupon the article may be used as a chair or a settee, depending as hcreinbefore stated, upon the overall dimensions of the device. The removable pad or cushion 42 may be then arranged upon the uppermost section 9.

In operation of the form of the invention disclosed in the Figures 6 and 7, -t-he sections 7 and 9 are normally arranged in those positions as is shown in the Figure 6, whereupon the device may be used as a settee` depending upon the dimensions thereof. To convert the article into a bed, the section 7 is engaged to a hand hold or similar appliance and is pulled outwardly` subsequently to the raising of the section 9 to a position whereat the cover board or panel 17' will be removed from the outer end of said section 7'. This outward pulling of the section 7 will cause the section 9 to follow it and during such following movement, said secthe pivotal connection ofthe links 40 between the ,sections 7 and 9. lVhen .in operative or extended positions, it will be noted that the foldable supporting legs 43 of the section 7 are brought to operative or supporting positions, thus supporting the same 1n the manner as illustrated in the Figure 7. To return the bed frame constituting sections 7 and 9 to their inoperative or normal positions, it is only necessary that the legs 43 be returned to their folded or inoperative position and that an inward thrust be imparted to the section 7, this causing a lowering of the now forward end of the section 9 and a pivotal reversing of its position together with the sliding of the section 7 to that position as is shown in the Figure 6. At this time, the diagonally or inclined upper section 9 is'pivoted downwardly so as to bring the cover or panel board 17 to its position over the now outer ends of the frame Vconstituting sections 7 and 9 together with the outer ends or extremities of the folded mattress or pad 35.A

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable modification and such modih'cation as is Within the scope of my claims, I consider within the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. Convertible furniture comprising a chair like body portion, a plurality of bed frame constituting sections, links pivotally interconnecting said bed frame sections and permitting of relative swinging and pivotal movement therebetween, the back of said body portion having a fixed chamber formed therein adapted to receive, at times, one of said frame sections therein in substantially vertical position and the lower portion of said body portion being adapted to receive the remaining frame sections therein in superposed relation, guide means upon the opposite sides of said body portion for directlng one of said frame sections into said chamber, pivotally interconnected motion transmitting and converting levers ladjacent the opposite sidesV of the body portion having certain of their ends pivoted to portions of certain of said frame sections and their remaining ends pivoted to the inner sides of said body portion, toggle levers mounted adjacent the opposite sides of said body portion having certain of their ends pivoted thereto and the remaining ends'thereof pivot/ed to one of said frame sections` and mattress sections carried by each of said frame sections.

2. A chair bed comprising a chair frame and a plurality of bed sections mounted therein two of the sections being housed one above the other, and a third section extending vertically and substantiall above the other two and at the rear thereo and link connections between the several sections and the chair frame for extendin the aforementioned rear section interposed between the other two sections.

3. In a convertible seat bed, a fixed back extending downwardly from the top of the frame, providing a space between it and the back of the frame, a plurality of connected bed sections foldable in the chair frame, means for overturning one of the sections in the frame, means for guiding another-of the sections into the said space, and connections between this last section and two other Sections whereby the last section is extended in alignment between the other sections when they are unfolded.

4. A convertible seat bed having a frame with a fixed back extending forwardly to provide a space between it and the back of the frame, a sectional folding bed having connected sections, means for mounting one section to move upwardly into said space, another section forming a seat and another section disposed below the seat, and connections between the sections and between certain ofthe sections and the frame for positioning the back section in alignment between the other two when they are unfolded to form a bed.

5. In a convertible seat bed, a frame having a fixed lower back support providing an unobstructed space behind it at the rear of the frame, a folding bed comprising a number of separate sections, one normally disposed in a vertical position at the back of the frame, another forming the seat, and a third at the bottom of the frame below the seat, means forming separate connections between the rear section and each of the other two sections and between certain of the sections and the frame whereby the sections will be moved into alignment with the rear section between the other two in unfolding them to form a bed, and means for mounting the seat section for inversion within the frame when the sections are moved into alignment.

6. A convertible bed having a frame with a fixed back support at a distance below the top and from the back of the frame to provide an unobstructed vertical space at the rear of the frame, a plurality of bed sections foldable in the frame, one section extending vertically into said space, a seat section extending below the lower back support, and another section at the bottom of the frame below the seat section, means forming connections between the sections and between certain of the sections and the frame, that of the seat section extending upwardly the bed sections, in horizontal alinement w en unfolded with.

mehefaasapoaamoffhemaaa .am andbehindtheloweredgeofsaidbacksupport, and means for withdrawing the lower,

inverting the sont sec- 'mg a connection with the lower end of the rear section, means forming a connection between certain of the sections and the frame for supporting them therein and for invertibly mounting the seat section within the frame whereby the seat section is inverted by the movement of the other sections into alignment when the seat section is tipped upwardly at the front to uncover the section below the seat.

8. A convertible seat bed having a seat section with an attached front board, a rear section disposed in a vertical position at the rear of the frame, another section mounted below the seat section and connected to the lower-end of the rear section and covered by the front board, means for connecting the rear end of the seat section to the upper portion of the rear section at a distance from its upper end, means forming a supporting and cooperating relation between the sections and the frame and for mounting the seat section in the frame for invertible movement, the connection between the seat section and the rear section permitting the front board to be raised with the seat section to uncoverthe front end of the lower section whereby the sections may be pulled outwardly into alignment with the rear section between the other two and the seat section inverted within the frame.

9. In a convertible seat bed, a plurality of sections connected for folding movement into and out of the seat frame, one of the sections being disposed at the rear of the Jrame, another section forming the seat, and another section being disposed at the bottom of the frame below the seat, means for connecting the sections for extension into alignment with the rear section disposed between the other two sections, and means forming a supporting and cooperating relation between certain of the sections and the frame and for invertibly mounting the seat section in the frame, said means comprising a plurality of connected pairs of levers at each side of the seat section, one lever of each pair being connected to the seat section and the other lever of each pair being connected to the seat frame, the pairs of levers permitting the seat section alignment'to 'l0 lower to be initially swung upwardly about the rear of the section, and the outward movement of the other sections causing the inversion of the seat section on said levers.

10. A construction in accordance with claim 9 in which one of the pairs of levers at each side of the seat is provided with a stop for limiting the overturning movement of the seat section during a portlon of its movement.

11. A convertible seat bed comprising a. frame, a seat section, a. section below th e seat section, levers connecting the seat section 1n the frame for overturning movement, levers for mounting the other section in the frame to move outwardly from its position below the seat section to a position in allnement therewith when the seat section is overturned, and means forming a connect-ion between the sections to overturn the seat section rearwardly when the other section is moved o utwardly fromvtheframe upon `its supportlng levers.

12. A folding bed structure of the class described comprising a plurality of sections a frame having means for guiding some of t e sections in the frame, means comprlslng levers for connect-ing one of the sections to the other sections and to the frame for rotation therein as the other sections are moved, and means in connection with the levers for controlling and limiting the rotation of the section as the sections are moved in folding and unfolding them.

13. In a folding bed construction of the class described, a frame, a plurality of connected sections having means for mounting them foldably in the frame, some of the sections being directly connected for joint Inovement, and a third section having a plvoted connection with the frame, and having means forming a connection with the other sections for overturning it in the frame near the end of movement of the other sections, and means operable at the sides of the sections for limiting the movement of the connections between the third section and the.' other sections to hold the said third section inclined in the various relative positions.

14. A folding bed structure comprising a frame; a seat section, a back section, and a bottom section; means for mounting the seat section to overturn rearwardly in the frame; means for mounting the other sections to slide in the `frame and below the seat section; and means connecting the sections for overturning the seat section at the rear of the other two sections and moving all of the sections into alignment when the said other sections are pulled outwardly from below the seat.

14. Achair bed comprising bed sections,one section forming a seat and all pivotally connected, means for mounting one sec-tion to slide below the seat, means for supporting another section behind the seat and to slide below the seat into and out of its position behind it, and the seat section having means mounting it in the frame for pivoted overturning movement .within the frame and movable on its pivot to uncover the front of the section below the seat for withdrawing it and the other section at the back from below the seat in unfolding the bed.

16. In a folding bed, a seat frame, a plurality of connected bed sections foldable in the frame and including a seat section, two of the sections being directly connected and having means mounting them in the frame below and behind the seat section for joint pivotal and sliding movement from below the seat and the section behind the seat extending vertically above and behind the other sections, and the seat section being pivotally mounted in the frame and connected to one of the other sections and comprising means for overturning it within the frame and at the rear of the other sections when extended to use opposite sides thereof when the other sections are moved into and out of the frame.

17. In a folding bed of the class described, a seat frame, guide rails at the ends of the frame, a plurality of folding bed sections two of which are directly connected and guided at the bottom and rear of the frame by said rails, and a seat section pivotally connected in the frame and to the top of the rear section, and means for overturning the seat section within the frame and at the rear of the other two sections when they are pulled out on the guide rails and adapted to use the opposite surfaces of the seat section when the other sections are folded and extended.

18. A convertible seat bed having a frame with an upholstered back extending forwardly to provide a space between it and the back of the frame, a sectional folding bed having connected sections, means for mounting one section to move upwardly into said space, another section forming a seat, and another section disposed below the seat, and means forming connections between the sections and between certain of the sections and the frame for positioning said upwardly moving section in alignment between the other two when they are unfolded'to form a bed.

19. A chair bed comprising a chair frame and a plurality of bed sections mountedtherein, two of the sections being housed one above the other, and a third section extending vertically and substantially above the other two and at the rear thereof, and means forming connections between the several sections and the chair frame for extending the bed sections in horizontal alignment when unfolded with the aforementloned rear section interposed between the other two sections.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOSEPH R. THOMAS.

flu

lim 

